PageNovember 3B THE 11, NORTH 2020 THEGEORGIA NORTH NEWS GEORGIA November NEWS 11, 2020Page 3B Football: Injuries, turnovers loom large in 21-6 loss to Rabun Gap By Todd Forrest Sports Editor [email protected]

For the third consecutive week, the Union County of- fense failed to break 20 points, resulting in a 21-6 loss to Rabun Gap - the Panthers’ lowest home scoring output in seven years. Turnovers have played a major role in the recent offen- sive struggles as Union County was plagued by four turnovers vs. Rabun Gap, bringing the giveaway total to a dozen over the last three weeks. On top of being careless with the football, the offense has failed to surpass 300 total yards in three straight outings. Following lackluster performances at Banks County (278 yards) and vs. Elbert County (266 yards), the Pan- thers managed just 107 yards against Rabun Gap despite gaining 90 yards on their first two possessions. Meanwhile, the Union County defense continues to Senior Kaston Hemphill (3) and sophomore running back shine, holding its third straight Cayleb Rogers (21) took the majority of snaps in the Union County back- opponent, and fourth in five field due to the Panthers playing without their starting quarterback and The Union County defense turned in another stellar performance against the high-powered Rabun Gap of- games, under 300 total yards. two running backs. Photo/Todd Forrest fense, holding the Eagles to a season-low 21 points. Photo/Todd Forrest Against Rabun Gap, the D to deal with injury after injury. 4 yards, and two plays later, , forcing a Union . after suffering a 4-yard loss on Then we’ll come in at halftime forced a three and out to open And we’ve had to do some Helcher moved the chains with Starting from its own 26, third-and-2. and see where we’re at. the game, setting up the offense things differently and haven’t a first-down keeper on fourth Rabun Gap used a 30-yard com- However, Rogers’ punt “We’re going to try and with excellent field position at been able to be as wide open and 1. pletion on first down to spark provided Union County fans keep it as close as we can, but their own 46. The Panthers fed as we’ve been the last seven Faced with a third-and- a drive deep into Panthers’ with a rare smile as his kick as one of our coaches said, ‘in Jonah Daniel early and often years.” 13, Helcher found senior Kaston territory, but junior cornerback bounced sideways inside the life, you have days that your before the senior running back The Eagles responded Hemphill for 24 yards inside the Trace Wright came down with 5-yard line and rolled out of best may not be enough to win.’ left the game with an ankle in- with a 13-play, 75-yard scoring Eagles’ red zone, but the drive a jump in the endzone to bounds inside the one. And this might be one of those jury after the second offensive drive, capped by a 9-yard strike stalled as Rabun Gap dropped deny the Eagles. Starting from just outside times where we can play our series. at the 10:35 mark of the second Helcher for loss on third down, Union would cough up the goal line with 6:42 left, butts off and it may not be good Three straight gives to quarter. Rabun Gap finished the bringing McCombs onto the the football again at its own Rabun Gap ended the Panthers’ enough to win. But you won’t Daniel went for 5, 7 and 10 series 3-for-3 on third-downs, field to trim the deficit to 7-6 30, giving it back to Rabun comeback hopes by orchestrat- know until you try and that’s yards on the opening series. including a pair of conversions with 4:37 before the break. Gap after two plays. Still, the ing a lengthy drive into Union why you play the game.” Junior quarterback Logan on third-and-11. The offense had one last- Panthers defense continued to territory that eventually ran out As for Union County, the Helcher, who also suffered “[Rabun Gap] has a shot before the intermission deliver when called upon, forc- the clock. Panthers’ 21-6 loss to Rabun a first-half injury and didn’t Michigan commit at tight end after the defense forced three ing a at the 13-yard line Up next is a visit to third- Gap marked the lowest-scoring return, rushed twice for 2 and and the other guy has an offer straight incompletions after sur- with 3:11 left in the third. ranked Rabun County, fresh home output vs. a non-region 6 yards, sandwiched around a from Georgia Tech,” Allison rendering two more first-down The momentum swing off two of the most massive opponent since a 20-0 loss to 6-yard pickup by Daniel. said regarding the Eagles’ duo completions on third and long. was short-lived as a bobbled blowouts in program history. Gilmer in 1996 - Allison’s first The drive would even- of tight ends. “I felt really good However, a Panthers’ pass on first down fell into the Two weeks ago, the Wildcats season. tually stall in the red zone, about what we did in the first fumble on the first play awarded arms of an Eagles’ defensive dismantled Banks County 71-0 Both Daniel and Helcher but senior Mason McCombs half, but in the second half, we the visitors a free possession back and returned to the 6-yard before taking down Elbert suffered early injuries and did spotted the Panthers an early just suffered some bad luck. at the Union 14-yard line with line. On third-and-goal, Rabun County 63-7 last Friday. not return in the loss to Rabun 3-0 advantage with a 35-yard “We’re already down 1:09 on the clock. With its back Gap stretched its lead to 14-6 Averaging 49.3 points Gap. While neither injury ap- field goal. a defensive lineman, and we against the wall, the defense with a 5-yard pass. per game, Rabun County is well pears to be serious, Allison “It wasn’t fair for some had to take a linebacker, Gage would not budge, forcing a The Eagles picked off ahead of its 2018 school-record believes that both players are of those guys [that replaced the Barnes, and move him to de- 35-yard field goal attempt in another Union County pass, scoring pace of 46 points a doubtful for Rabun County. injured players] because they fensive end and he did a good the waning seconds that sailed this one coming on the third game. Even if the season ended “[Helcher] had a spine didn’t get very many snaps job. I can’t say enough about wide left. play of the next series. Start- today after nine games, the 2020 injury a few plays after [Daniel] at those positions during the how hard we battled that whole “We played well on de- ing from just inside midfield, campaign would still mark the came out,” he said. “His head week,” Union head coach Al- ball game.” fense in the first half and we Rabun Gap put the Panthers sixth-most points scored (444) hit a Rabun Gap kid’s thigh lison said. “But we were able Union answered with a preach all the time to force field in dire straits with a 24-yard in Rabun County history. and his head went back in a to do exactly what we wanted 13-play drive of its own but goals,” Allison said. “We forced touchdown hookup on its fifth The Wildcats’ last two whiplash-type situation. Noth- to do on offense during the couldn’t find the endzone and the field goal, they missed it and play of the drive. The score games alone (134 points) pro- ing is broken, but I don’t know first half. We just wish we settled for a 41-yard field goal we went in 7-6, but we could opened up a 21-6 lead with 9:35 duced more points than the what his status is. could have scored from McCombs. have easily been up 10-7.” remaining. entire season output of 15 other “[Daniel] tweaked his instead of kicking field goals. On 2nd and 7 from the Hemphill took over be- Down two scores, Union Rabun County teams. ankle again and it swelled up We controlled the ball, we hit 23, Daniel tore off a 22-yard hind center as the Panthers had one final shot at making “Our guys know how on him. Maybe he could have the bubble [screen], we were run, followed by a 5-yard com- received the second-half kickoff things interesting after start- good Rabun is,” Allison said. gone back in, but I don’t know hitting Jonah up in there and pletion to Keyton Chitwood, trailing 7-6. Two handoffs to ing its next drive from the 45 “They’re practically the same what his status is either for this that’s what we wanted to do. moving the Panthers into Rabun Cayleb Rogers went for a no and a 7-yard run by Rogers team they had last year, so we’re week. If I had to guess, I would “I feel like we’re getting Gap territory. A second-and-5 gain, and Hemphill kept it him- into Eagles’ territory. Unfor- going to play it one quarter at a say that both will be out.” better but we keeping having handoff to Daniel went for self for a short pickup on third tunately, the Panthers punted time then see where we’re at. Union County, Rabun County prepare for 54th installment in series By Todd Forrest Sports Editor [email protected]

This Friday marks the 54th meeting between Union and Rabun - the most vs. any opponent for both squads - with the Wildcats leading the series 37-16 and currently riding a six-game winning streak. Immediately prior to Rabun’s streak, the Panthers notched five straight victories between 2007-11 and went 6-2 vs. the Wildcats from 2004- 2011. The longest winning streak in the series belongs to Rabun, but it’s not the current one. The Wildcats won the first nine meetings between 1958- 1966. Outside of a 25-13 Union victory at home in 1967, Rabun opened by taking 12-of-13 Logan Helcher (8) and Jonah Daniel are both considered doubtful for contests, including a 64-6 win Friday night at No. 3 Rabun County. Photo/Todd Forrest in Tiger in 1970 - the rivalry’s most lopsided outcome. the men (and a few adventur- The Panthers would gain ous ladies) take on more chal- revenge in 1971, knocking off lenging rides such as Beasley’s Rabun County 28-16 in the Knob. early days of Mike Colwell If all this activity is too Memorial Stadium. Follow- much for you, attending each ing a 12-8 Wildcats’ victory event is optional; you only do in 1972, Union County would what appeals to you. There are score consecutive wins over Hey, fellow Jeep en- no participation requirements. Rabun County for the first time thusiasts, come and join us. We don’t have a long list of in 1973 and 1974. Coming off Seniors Noah Underwood (16) and JJ Littles (26) will face Rabun County for the fourth and final time on Friday night in Tiger. Photo/Todd Forrest Monthly meetings are held the rules or bossy officers, and a 41-21 home victory in 1973, second Friday of each month. we do not collect membership the ninth-ranked Panthers lowed by a 27-14 road victory crushing blow to the Panthers’ the score after they were turned We meet at the Blairsville dues. Sound good? If you own went on the road and thumped a year later over the Bill Hall- playoff hopes. away by a Rabun County goal- Skillet Cafe, where we enjoy a Jeep and think this might be Rabun 40-6. coached Wildcats. Following ugly losses line stand. delicious food and excellent your cup of tea, we welcome But like the Panthers Rogers’ career would in 2003 and 2004, Union re- The Wildcats’ offense service. We eat lunch together you to come and enjoy life three years earlier, the Wildcats close with three-straight losses corded a 21-14 victory in 2005. put the game away with a at 12 PM and the meeting be- with us. would get their payback a year to Rabun before the series took In 2007, head coach Todd 99-yard scoring drive, seal- gins at 1 PM. For more information, later, upsetting ninth-ranked a break between 1990-1995. Peugh routed the Wildcats 31- ing Rabun County’s 45-31 We are thrilled that please attend a meeting or con- Union County, 19-12 in Blairs- Brian Allison arrived in 1996 14, quelling the sour taste of victory. cooler weather is here and we tact us via our website, www. ville. The 1974 and 1975 Wild- and suffered a pair of one- Union’s 41-0 loss in 2006. In 2013, Union County can get down to some serious blueridgemountainjeepers. cats were under the direction sided losses in his first taste Allison’s return coin- led 18-14 before the Wildcats jeeping! We still have trails to com . You can view our calen- of head coach Doug Stockton of the rivalry. Another hiatus cided with four straight wins rattled off 28-straight points for blaze and community activi- dar of events and see pictures -- the uncle of current Rabun followed in 1998-1999, but over Rabun County between a 42-18 final. ties to participate in. We will and videos of recent rides. quarterback and South Caro- Allison’s Panthers visited Tiger 2008-2011. Three of the meet- Two years ago, a ques- ride the Cherohala Skyway Also, “like” us on Facebook. lina commit, Gunner Stockton. in 2000 and handed Rabun ings were decided by 14 points tionable block in the back and other forest service roads NT(Nov11,Z7)A The 1974 contest would spark a 23-13 loss. In the meeting, or less, while the 2010 contest penalty on an to cool destinations. five-straight Rabun victories, Union’s Wing-T offense set in Blairsville ended in 38-14 return prevented the Panthers We are a happy bunch Learn to including a 3-0 win at Union the tone right off the bat, tak- Panthers’ victory. from building a 14-0 advan- of folks, who love getting to- play Pickleball in 1977 when the Wildcats en- ing the opening kickoff and Since Rabun’s father-son tage. Rabun County quickly gether to ride, explore and tered with a No. 5 ranking. using the entire first quarter to duo of Lee and Jaybo Shaw seized momentum and pulled sometimes get muddy. If you Learn to play Pickleball: The Panthers halted the take a 7-0 lead on the game’s took the reins in 2012, only one away 56-28. However, the are like-minded, read on, or Beginner’s Lessons every Sat- streak with a 27-7 victory in opening drive. Union-Rabun meeting has been game was still up for grabs better yet, come and join us. urday, 10 AM (weather permit- 1979; however, the Terry Rog- The Panthers overpow- competitive entering the fourth until a batch of second-quarter We don’t sit around and talk ting). No charge and all equip- ers era would get underway in ered Rabun again in 2001, quarter. During the 2014 de turnovers derailed Union’s about jeeping, we do it! ment provided. Courts are 1980 with three consecutive pulling away 30-7 en route to a facto Region 8-AA title game Region Championship hopes Weather permitting, we located behind the Health De- defeats. The eighth-ranked 9-2 season. With Allison gone in Blairsville, the Panthers and forced them to play from ride once or twice a week on partment. For more informa- Panthers would score another in 2002, the Wildcats stunned trailed 38-31 late in the fourth behind unsuccessfully. various kinds of rides: easy tion contact: blairsvillepickle- 27-7 home win in 1985, fol- Union County 21-20, dealing a quarter but were unable to even street rides, forestry roads, and [email protected].